Hierarchical CoTiO3@NiO core-shell sub-microbelts as direct Z-scheme photocatalyst for efficient visible-light-driven tetracycline degradation

The hierarchical binary 1D@2D CoTiO3@NiO Z-scheme heterojunctions with well-defined core-shell feature display the enhanced photocatalytic activity for antibiotic tetracycline decomposition under visible light illumination. The obtained CoTiO3@NiO heterostructured sub-microbelts show a superior photocatalytic efficiency to the pristine CoTiO3 sub-microbelts, and NiO nanoclusters. The TC removal efficiency of CoTiO3@NiO submicrobelts is 1.75 and 2.15 times higher than that of pristine CoTiO3, and NiO, respectively. The electrospinning CoTiO3 sub-microbelts are decorated uniformly with in situ nanosheets of NiO longitudinally aligned through a facile two-step precipitation-calcination processure. The Z-scheme heterojunctions consisting of CoTiO3 and NiO efficiently accelerate photo-generated electron-hole separation efficiency, and afford a high specific surface area, which ultimately improve the efficiency of TC degradation. The profitable carrier transmission mechanism and special core-shell structure in the CoTiO3@NiO system are in charge of the elevated catalytic activity because of the formed Z-scheme system. These features demonstrate that the hierarchical CoTiO3@NiO core-shell heterojunctions have the great application potential for tetracycline removal from wastewater.

Automated summary

The hierarchical binary 1D@2D CoTiO3@NiO Z-scheme heterojunctions exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity for tetracycline decomposition under visible light, with CoTiO3@NiO sub-microbelts showing superior efficiency compared to pristine CoTiO3 and NiO. The efficient electron-hole separation and increased surface area provided by the Z-scheme heterojunctions contribute to the improved TC degradation efficiency, showcasing potential for wastewater treatment.